New Triumph Speed RS

Discussion in 'Other Bikes' started by TheRamJam, May 2, 2018.

  1. TheRamJam

    TheRamJam Well-Known Member

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    Took this out for an hour at the weekend. Was well impressed with it. The handling is superb, bike felt planted no matter what I threw at it. I suppose it should be good seeing as it has Ohlins suspension front and rear. TFT screen was nice, easily readable and apparently customisable too. The keyless start thing was a bit tricky to begin with but after a few shots it was easy. Electronics wise its got the lot as standard however the QS is a 300 upgrade but shifts both up and down. Titanium arrow cans are a sweet and sound pretty good too. It's no where near as quick as the blade but its way more comfortable and just us fun. Only annoying thing is the wind buffeting over 80 is bad, but its a naked bike so hey ho.

    Was offered £4600 trade in on my RR9 with 8k miles on the clock. Very tempted indeed, might have a go on the MT10 SP first though :-0


    2018-05-01 11.34.42.jpg 2018-05-01 11.34.46.jpg
     
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  2. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Haven't ridden one but seen in the flesh in the Showroom in Stratford-upon-Avon. For what it's worth, and opinion only, you might have a better re-sale value with the MT10 SP. I know it's not always a consideration - pleasure is No.1!!

    Now tell us, Mr RamJam. Is it merely coincidence you've parked it over a drain plate? Has Triumph's former 'oil leak' reputation resurrected itself? :D
     
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  3. dave the rave

    dave the rave Active Member

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    I just find them so ugly with the goggle eyes at the front just my opinion though
     
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  4. CharlieR85

    CharlieR85 Elite Member

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    Have you tested the MT10 yet Ramjam? Following this thread with interest. Blade is becoming more and more uncomfortable for me. Thinking of swapping for Speed RS, MT10sp or superduke.
     
  5. TheRamJam

    TheRamJam Well-Known Member

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    I haven't tried the MT yet. But think I will pop down to Kilmarnock this weekend and give it a go. Can't get a go on the Superduke unless I go to Carlisle, which I am not prepared to do.

    However I do really like the RS. I have took it out twice now and the handling on it is up there. Sure it doesn't have the out and out speed or acceleration as the blade but its more than enough fun for the road and has the power in the place that you can use on the road.
     
  6. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Have you considered the new CB1000R?

     
  7. CharlieR85

    CharlieR85 Elite Member

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    I find the blade is only comfortable or really enjoyable when it's going silly speeds. Finding fewer roads near to me that the blade makes sense on. My touring bike (S1000XR) is also making the blade a bit redundant aswell unfortunately. That does everything the blade does but in comfort. I think I will end up ruling out the ktm because of lack of dealers in my area too, my nearest is in Colwyn Bay over an hour away. Don't fancy that if there's any reliability issues. I think the MT10 will be ruled out because of the tank range and the quirky looks. New speed RS is ticking all the boxes at the minute. Hoping to get a test ride soon.
     
  8. TheRamJam

    TheRamJam Well-Known Member

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    Looks ok that. Might pop into my local Honda dealers and see what its like to ride. Seems quite sporty and the plus model comes with an up & down shifter. I still think for an extra 1k the Triumph maybe be better equipped with its ohlins suspension front and rear, Brembo brakes, IMU unit, carbon bits and bobs, fancy customizable TFT dash and keyless ignition. Its also 23kg lighter.

    Defo give the RS a go Charlie you won't be dissappointed :-0
     
    #8 TheRamJam, May 25, 2018
    Last edited: May 25, 2018
  9. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Wow! That's a good list of inclusions with the Triumph. I didn't realise they offered such good value, despite my often looking in a dealership next to Honda in Stratford. That 23 kg weight difference is VERY significant also.
     
  10. TheRamJam

    TheRamJam Well-Known Member

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    So I took the MT10 out for a play on Saturday. What can I say, the soundtrack of that CP4 engine is pretty special. Even with a stock exhaust it sounded brilliant. This thing is brutal & wheelies off the throttle in the first 3 gears if you're gunning it. It loves a corner too, its shorter wheelbase makes it an extremely agile bike despite its 210kg weight. Its got a TFT dash (non colour) with fuel and gear indicators, comes with a QS (up only) as standard. Electronics wise its got ABS and traction control but no cornering ABS or slide control as it doesn't have the IMU, cruise control, and 3 engine modes: Standard, A & B with B being the sharpest which i found confusing. KYB suspension front and rear which seemed to cope well on the roads I was riding. This bike is cheap, i've seen at at 10,999 and that is brand new with a factory fitted QS. The bike does feel a bit plasticy in places and even the demo model with a little over 1k miles there was some rust spots on the fasteners. The brakes could be a little better, initial bite is a bit lacking in power.

    Overall its a good package and the engine is certainly the star of the show. However its definately not a looker. It doesn't feel as premium as the triumph with its Ohlins, full colour tft, IMU, and carbon bling however its 3k cheaper and with a few mods it would be easy to bring the weight down. I just don't know if I could live with that front end that looks like jonny 5 from short circuit ;-0

    Few pics below

    2018-05-26 13.42.19.jpg 2018-05-26 13.42.02.jpg 2018-05-26 13.42.24.jpg
     
    #10 TheRamJam, May 29, 2018
    Last edited: May 29, 2018
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  11. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    Good write up.

    It is a shame about the front because the side views are great. Jonny 5 is a good likeness. So is this:

    Nose.jpg
     
  12. CharlieR85

    CharlieR85 Elite Member

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    I've got a test ride booked for the Speed RS on Thursday, will let you know what I think. Will try and do the MT10 the following week and the superduke the week after that.
     
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  13. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    MT-10 SP, a thing of beauty.

    Took it to France at the weekend. The double headlight thing doesn't look bad at all IMHO.

    MT-10 St Nazaire docks resize.jpg
     
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  14. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    And another - going to have this picture enlarged and put on the wall....:)

    MT-10 profile lake side resize.jpg
     
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  15. nigelrb

    nigelrb Elite Member

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    You're well and truly hooked!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
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  16. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    I know, and I have guilt - lusting after another bike on a Fireblade forum !!

    Lovely looking thing.
     
  17. CharlieR85

    CharlieR85 Elite Member

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    Is there much you don't like about it Mattie? I think I could learn to love the looks if the test ride blows me away. What mileage are you getting from a tank? I know you do a lot of miles. Not sure I can live with sub 130 per tank.
     
  18. Mattie660

    Mattie660 Elite Member

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    Not sure how many miles to the tank, but:

    • 31 mpg for slow moving town riding, and riding around here. This is according to the fuel computer that can show average from when you last zeroed it.
    • 41 mpg for motorways, A roads, and on the move riding

    Things I do not like, nothing major:

    • Euro 4, so it still has some of those fuelling issues - not too bad. I will not bother with a Power Commander, but they are still lurking in there. I can live with it like it is - if not I would not hesitate to put one on, but will likely leave it as it is - it is fine, not causing me any grief.
    • Fuel gauge - bombing along thinking hardly using any fuel - amazing mileage - then the first fuel block disappears - that is half a tank gone. I know that now. On the flip side the fuel gauge is a beautiful fading blue colour and it feels great when it is all full again !
    • The little toggle wheel for scrolling around in the menus - press it for a few seconds and one thing happens - press it for a bit longer and something else happens - Doh, pressed it too long or not long enough, 'kin thing !! :D
    • Engine braking in 1st & 2nd gears, and riding the clutch - a bit harsher than I am used to, but gone in 3rd. In 1st and 2nd when the throttle is closed it stops on engine braking, so then not sure how it will react when I open the throttle again - will it suddenly lurch forward. To be fair it does not lurch forward, but still I seem to pull the clutch and ride the clutch a bit, and take off again from the clutch. The old Fireblade was superb and would do all that just on throttle, even at 5 mph, and virtually never had to ride the clutch - but hey they do not make bikes like that any more.
    • Seat feels a bit uneven when you sit back on it - at first thought I was sitting on something in my pockets or something. OK, just not that smooth sliding off it kind of seat like on the Blade.
    • It is not the motorway/autoroute cruise missile that the Fireblade was. Have to get used to being overtaken a bit more by big Mercs on long motorway rides, because of the buffeting of the naked open cockpit. Motorway cruising speeds are fine - just not all day easy as laying on the tank of the Fireblade.

    It feels classy, a bit special - nicely made. Sounds like a Spitfire or something - unhurried power. Quickshifter - for when you would rather not have to let go of the handlebar to pull in a clutch - in case you get left behind sitting on the road :D. Changes gear beautifully, even changing normally.

    1,300 miles on it so far, after about three weeks.:)
     
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  19. TheRamJam

    TheRamJam Well-Known Member

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    I am gonna have another go on the non SP version and make my mind up. Weirdly enough there ain't any carbon goodies available for it from conquest carbon as it does look a bit plasticy in places.

    @Mattie660 is the SP version worth the extra 4k more over the standard bike. The only differences being the fancy paint scheme, full colour TFT dash and electronic Ohlins suspension
     
    #19 TheRamJam, May 29, 2018
    Last edited: May 30, 2018
  20. gary1966

    gary1966 Active Member

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    I rode my mates mt10 sp it’s not for me a lot of money for a lot of plastics and the fueling is awful, my mate has since had his ecu flashed and it’s meant to be better?? Plus he has had an aftermarket blipper fitted. The speed RS would win that battle for me BUT the street triple RS would get my vote with a very low mileage one at £8000 ish on the right roads it keeps with the speed and mt10 and if it’s on straight roads there’s only so long you can ride at 140 mph on any of the above. If I was spending stupid money on an upright the Tuono v4 would be top of my list ramjam said above that the speed triple was nowhere near as fast as a blade well the new Tuono isn’t far behind it and wait until you hear the noise it makes and for looks it wins hands down
     
    #20 gary1966, May 30, 2018
    Last edited: May 30, 2018

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